South Africa, Uganda and Kenya topped the podium at this year’s Africa Barista Championship. But the real winner at this year’s Africa Barista Championship was African coffee culture itself.

From 24 to 28 February 2025, the scent of homegrown coffee filled the air in Dar es Salaam, as 23 baristas from 14 countries competed for continental recognition before packed crowds. Held alongside the 21st African Fine Coffees Conference and Exhibition (AFCA), the event marked a turning point: a bold celebration of local talent, regional markets, and Africa’s fast-growing appreciation for its own specialty coffee – especially robusta.

‘This isn’t just about coffee-making,’ said Régine Léonie Guion-Firmin, an Authorized Specialty Coffee Association trainer (AST) based in Nairobi, Kenya. ‘It’s about youth creating new career paths, fostering café culture, and driving demand for high-quality, locally produced coffee. You could feel the energy and pride.’ | Read on…